A class act let down by a circus act
ELIUD KIPCHOGE will eventually be celebrated as one of the greatest marathoners of all time. The hope is he is recalled for just that, rather than the gimmick he was a part of last weekend.
The sub-two hour attempt, organised by Nike, was a sorry joke. From the rotating pool of pacers, to the cyclists providing Kipchoge with his energy gels, thus removing the need to check his stride and pick them up off a table as happens in conventional races, to the car with the enormous time-clock that appeared to be serving as a sneaky wind-break, the entire episode was just absurd.
It bore no relation to a proper marathon world record attempt, and it was wearying to read athletes relate their excitement at watching Kipchoge trying to break two hours for 26.2 miles.
The greatest pity is that Kipchoge might be best remembered for his involvement here. He was an obvious choice to lead the attempt, given he has won five of the six marathons he has raced. This includes the 2016 Olympics, as well as London − twice − and Berlin, once.
It is worth searching out footage of his 2003 gold in the 5,000m at the world championships in Paris, when as an 18 year old he sprinted clear of Hicham El Guerrouj and Kenenisa Bekele.
He is better than last week’s circus.